Water-gate



(No Modem E. E. SMITH.

WATER GATE.

No. 377,089. Patented Jan. 31, 1888.

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Nrrsn TATES AT-ENT FFIGE.

ELI SMITH, or STEUBENVILLE, oIIIo.

WATER-GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 377,089, dated January31, 1858.

Application filed July-25, 1887. Serial X0. 245,279. (No model.)

T0 60% whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that LELI E. SMITILOfStGUbenville, county of Jefferson,State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFlood-Gates,of which the following is such a full, clear, and exactdescription as will enable others skilled in the art to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to an improvement in water-gates in which a gateis so hung across a stream as to be easily opened by the stream when itbecomes flooded, allowing all debris to pass under,and to close readilywhen the Hood subsides. I attain this object by mechanism shown in theaccompanying drawings, of which Figure l is a side elevation lookingfrom the upstream side. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from thedownstream side. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the middle ofthesame.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the different views.

This gate consists of a strong well-braced frame placed across a streamand provided with the heavy crosspiece A, to which the movable portionof the gate is hinged. This cross-piece supports a foot-plank, O, and isin turn supported by the frame-work, consisting of the top cross-piece,B, the supports 0 O, and the braces B B and (Y O, the supports 0 G beingfirmly fastened at the bottom by the cross piece K. The gate E'is hingedto this crosspieee A by the ordinary staple and hook. The top piece, H,of the gate is quite large and heavy as compared with the rest of thegate, and is cut away on the upstream side to allow the cam or lever Gto work easily upon it. To each of the supports 0 is hinged aruddershaped device consisting of the rudder-post P and the rudder orblade F, said blade being provided with the brace f. The rudder-post ishinged at its ends to the support 0 by staples,and has attached to itsupperend the cam or lever G, which engages with the top piece,

H, of the gate. The spaces between the supports and the sides of thebank are closed by the planks D, thus preventing the passage of thewater beyond the ends of the gate-frame.

When the stream rises,a pressure is exerted upon the rudder-blades F,which turns them. As these open,the levers or cams G engage with theinclined surface of the top piece, H, of the gate and open it, allowinga free passage for all debris. The gate isheld in this position untilthe llood subsides, when the weight of the gate exerts its force uponthe lever G and swings the so-called rudders into their normal positionacross the stream, allowing the gate to close at the same time.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to claim, andsecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In awater-gate, the combination of the verticallyswinging gate E,with the rudders F and cam-levers G, adapted to swing horizontally andraise the gate when acted upon by the water, as set forth.

2. In a water-gate, the combination of the gate E,the top piece providedwith an inclined surface, the lever or cam G, working on said incline,the post 1?, and the blade F, provided with the bracef.

Ina water-gate,the frame consisting ofthe cross-piece A, provided withthe foot-board O, the supports 0 C, secured at their bottoms by thecross-piece K, the braces B B, and the top cross-piece, in combinationwith the gate E, having a cross-piece, H, with an inclined surface toreceive the cam or lever G, and the opening device consisting of thelever or cam G, working on the inclined surface of cross-piece H, thepost I, and the blade F, provided with the bracef.

\Vitness my hand this April 19, 1887.

ELI E. SMITH.

Witnesses:

H. MOD. MILLER, J. M. BARCLAY.

